OPM again extends signup period for dental, vision benefits

The Office of Personnel Management announced Friday that it would for a second time extend the period for federal employees and retirees to sign up for new dental and vision benefits.

The new deadline is next Friday, Dec. 22.

Open season to enroll in the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program was supposed to end Dec. 11, but the program's Web site, Benefeds.com, and phone lines were flooded with high levels of traffic. Some people who wanted to sign up for the program couldn't get through.

OPM had announced Monday that the signup period would be extended until Dec. 15.

In a statement Friday, OPM said the continued "tremendous response" to FEDVIP led to the second extension.

"No additional belated enrollment periods are anticipated," OPM said. The National Treasury Employees Union applauded OPM's decision. "These programs offer important benefits to federal employees and their families -- as evidenced by the large number of enrollees," said NTEU President Colleen M. Kelley, "and everyone who wishes to take part should be afforded the opportunity to do so."

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